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"Go Pats."

Tampa Bay is a gateway for hunters seeking sunken treasure in the Gulf of Mexico. The next time someone heads into the deep seeking lost loot, maybe they'll come across what was once the "Red Sox Golden Season of 2011."

Doubloons turned into double plays this weekend at the hands of the out-of-nowhere Tampa Bay Rays. Sunday's 9-1 loss capped off a cataclysmic sweep by the Rays. Boston is as close to playoff elimination as it is to first place.

We held out over the weekend before opting to press the panic button, but now we can blame folks who want to hit it hard and often. Maybe our Star Trek-like horn is annoying enough to wake up the Red Sox. Seeing Jon Lester struggle (111 pitches in 4 innings) was the last nudge. The Red Sox tapped out in this one by about the 5th. Boston has a 3 1/2 game lead in the wild card with 16 games to go - and 4 more games against Tampa Bay at Fenway Park this week. But they are crumbling quicker than a bag of chips in the hands of Albert Haynesworth. The demise of the pitching staff has been breathtaking.

Just a week ago, the talk was whether or not they should try to win the division or set everything up for the playoffs and a nice October run. Now we're stuck thinking of 1978 and one of those old-fashioned Red Sox collapses that would to make our parents use all those four-letter words we could never say and that you can't get past boston.com language filters.

Tampa Bay comes to Fenway for 4 games starting Thursday. The over/under on Boston Massacre recaps we'll be seeing between now and then is 13 1/2...

Boston's 2-10 start has been nearly matched by its 2-9 record this month. The Politburo says "We Won't Rest." They forgot to add "Except in September?"

Would the Rays take back Carl Crawford if the Red Sox threw in $144 million? ...

Maybe Alfredo Aceves can drive Theo to the airport. Flights to Chicago leave on the hour...

The Dolphins piped in crowd noise to help with preparation Monday's game against the Patriots at Sun Life-Pro Player-Joe Robbie-Gloria Estafan-Tony Montana Stadium. That's piped-in noise for a home game. Coming next - the laugh-track at Fenway the next time John Lackey pitches...

The Red Sox would be better with George Scott pinch-running the next time Mike Aviles gets on base...

Was that Rob Ryan or Rex in a wig?...

Will the Red Sox hang on? And if so, what can we expect in the playoffs? Let us know your thoughts below. Let it out, we understand.

And remember, the Bruins open the season just 3 weeks from Thursday. Maybe they'll be done partying by then.

Time for your vote: Let your voice be heard. The debate rages on who has earned our first annual "Negative 10th Player Award?" John Lackey?J.D. Drew? Carl Crawford? Dice-K? Theo? Vote in our poll and post your thoughts here, on our Obnoxious Boston Fan Facebook page or e-mail them to me at obnoxiousbostonfan@hotmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on twitter @realOBF. And catch us on Open Mike with Mike Bianchi on-line on 740AM in Orlando Monday between 8-9 a.m.

Thanks for reading. Pass the clicker.

This blog is not written or edited by Boston.com or the Boston Globe.
The author is solely responsible for the content.

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